TODAY’S MESSAGE

Paul recognizes the stakes involved with the issue of eating food sacrificed to an idol. If people assert their rights, some may lose their belief. Paul reminds them they are family. Family watches out for each other. Family makes sacrifices for each other. Paul reminds them that Jesus paid the price on the cross to welcome them into God’s family. The Jesus-followers in Corinth are part of God’s family. When they assert their rights to the detriment of someone in the family, they don’t just hurt the person—they are also sinning against Jesus.

Most of us value our own families. We do things for them that we would never do for anyone else. We put up with things that we would never put up with from a co-worker or friend. We look at their problems and try to see how we can help.

Paul asks us to do this for those in our church family, as well. When we demand our rights and then demand that others get over it, we dishonor what Jesus did to bring us into his family. Asserting our rights shows we think we are more important than God’s family. Thinking of others shows we want to be a part of God’s family.

IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY

Think about whether there is something you’ve been refusing to give up. Is there a right or privilege that might be hurting someone? What would it look like to make some movement in that area? If you are struggling to think of something, ask a close friend, family member or someone in your small group to help you think through it.